Thousands cast votes in Chieftain survey

Readership poll recognizes top three winners in each category

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/FILE
Sherri Lombard (left) and Rochelle Wristen clown around Wednesday as they get their photograph taken by April Styles during the Best of Pueblo bash at the Pueblo Convention Center.

Who’s the top chef or bartender? Best actor? Top school mascot? Best teacher? Who throws the best community festival?

Answers to those questions and many more were answered Wednesday night at The Pueblo Chieftain’s Best of Pueblo Bash, attended by hundreds at the Pueblo Convention Center.

More than 36,000 votes were cast over a two-week period this summer, asking Chieftain readers to pick their favorites in 189 categories in Life, Places & Faces, Wine & Dine and Business areas of the community.

The readership poll recognizes the gold, silver and bronze winners in each of the categories, the results of which were unveiled at the preview party.

The best public event in town went to the Colorado State Fair. Jay Perez, of Angelo’s, was selected Pueblo’s best chef.

Best athlete/MVP? Look no farther than Colorado State University-Pueblo national wrestling champ, Jesse Hillhouse.

State Rep. and Democrat Leroy Garcia raked in top awards for best mover and shaker, most honest politician and best politician.

Abriendo Avenue is Pueblo’s best street. Pueblo Boulevard wins the dubious honor of best place to get a speeding ticket.

Quirkiest neighborhood goes to The Blocks. Coors Tavern was voted best bar and for having the best Slopper. And the best boss for 2013 is Tammy Fesmire of Sunflower Bank.

Read the complete list of winners in the Best of Pueblo special edition in Friday’s Chieftain.